Waghdoh (T-33): Tiger of Tadoba — Life, Lineage & Status
Quick Answer
Waghdoh (T-33) is a male tiger of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra. Status: died May 2022 of old age (about 15–18 years). He dominated the Telia–Moharli landscape until younger males pushed him out of the core in 2015. Forest staff found his body on 23 May 2022 in the Sinala forest of the Chandrapur range; officials attributed death to old age, and a post-mortem was carried out at the Transit Treatment Centre in the presence of NTCA and state representatives.
- Identifier
- T-33
- Sex
- Male
- Record period
- Dominant male until 2015 · died 2022
- Current status
- Died May 2022 of old age (about 15–18 years)
Highlights
- News reports of his death (The Tribune/IANS, May 2022) give his identifier as T-33.
- Visitor archives and the Telia-sisters documentaries name him as the father of the four Telia sisters with the tigress Madhuri; this remains an attributed, not officially published, relationship.
- He dominated the Telia–Moharli landscape until younger males pushed him out of the core in 2015.
- Waghdoh lived far longer than most wild tigers and spent his last seven years surviving in a working buffer landscape beside mines and villages — a rare, well-documented example of an old male’s life after losing territory.
The lead photo shows a cub of Waghdoh, as identified by its photographer — not Waghdoh. Other photos show Tadoba tigers.
Who Is Waghdoh?
News reports of his death (The Tribune/IANS, May 2022) give his identifier as T-33. He was also widely called Scarface for his facial marks.
Tigers are recognised individually by their stripe patterns, which are as unique as fingerprints. Nicknames used by guides and visitors may differ from formal codes, so this page states which source each identifier comes from.
Waghdoh: Timeline of Key Events
Dated events in Waghdoh's life, from official reserve publications and dated news reports.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Until 2015 | Dominant male of the Telia–Moharli landscape. |
| 2015 | Pushed out of the core by younger males; settles in the Devada buffer, later Junona. |
| 23 May 2022 | Found dead of old age in the Sinala forest, Chandrapur range, aged about 15–18. |
Waghdoh's Family and Cubs
Visitor archives and the Telia-sisters documentaries name him as the father of the four Telia sisters with the tigress Madhuri; this remains an attributed, not officially published, relationship.
Relationships are described as verified only when an official record supports them; otherwise they are labelled as attributed.
Where Did Waghdoh Live in Tadoba?
He dominated the Telia–Moharli landscape until younger males pushed him out of the core in 2015. He then lived in the Devada buffer, later Junona, and in his final weeks around the Durgapur mines and the Sinala and Masala forests.
Tiger territories shift with age, competition, breeding and water. A historical range is not present-day sighting advice, and Wild Excursions does not publish live locations.
Waghdoh's Life Story
Forest staff found his body on 23 May 2022 in the Sinala forest of the Chandrapur range; officials attributed death to old age, and a post-mortem was carried out at the Transit Treatment Centre in the presence of NTCA and state representatives. In his last weeks he was suspected in the death of a shepherd, which was not confirmed.
Is Waghdoh Alive? Current Status
Status: Died May 2022 of old age (about 15–18 years). This wording changes only when an official or otherwise authoritative dated record supports it.
Useful evidence includes forest-department statements, camera-trap identity records, post-mortem or rescue reports and dated, credited photographs.
Why Waghdoh Matters
Waghdoh lived far longer than most wild tigers and spent his last seven years surviving in a working buffer landscape beside mines and villages — a rare, well-documented example of an old male’s life after losing territory.
Individual stories build public support for conservation, but the reserve protects a population, its prey and connected habitat — not celebrity animals alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Waghdoh's ID in Tadoba?
T-33. News reports of his death (The Tribune/IANS, May 2022) give his identifier as T-33.
Is Waghdoh still alive?
Died May 2022 of old age (about 15–18 years).
Where was Waghdoh seen in Tadoba?
He dominated the Telia–Moharli landscape until younger males pushed him out of the core in 2015. He then lived in the Devada buffer, later Junona, and in his final weeks around the Durgapur mines and the Sinala and Masala forests. This page does not publish live locations.
Who are Waghdoh's parents or cubs?
Visitor archives and the Telia-sisters documentaries name him as the father of the four Telia sisters with the tigress Madhuri; this remains an attributed, not officially published, relationship.
Can I see Waghdoh on a Tadoba safari?
No individual tiger can be guaranteed on a safari. Routes are allocated by the forest department and tigers move freely; book drives across zones for the best overall odds.
Continue Exploring
30,000+
Travellers have explored the wild with us across India.
4.9 / 5
Rated across TripAdvisor and Google reviews.
Naturalist-led
Safaris planned around official gates, seasons and permits.
24/7 on-trip help
We are reachable before, during and after your trip.
Sources & References
Facts on wildlife and visitor access can change. These are the principal references for this page; always confirm current permits and rules with the responsible forest department.
Photo Credits
Photos without a credit below are by Wild Excursions. The rest come from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown.
- Cub of the tiger Waghdoh and tigress Chori standing on a forest track in Tadoba — Siddhesh Sawant, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tiger almost hidden in tall golden grass in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve — Eeshan Sonak, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bengal tigress with her cub at the edge of tall grass in Tadoba — Rohit Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Young Bengal tigress playing with her sibling in Tadoba — AJAY CHANDWANI, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Radio-collared tigress cooling off in water in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve — PR Ganapathy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tigress Maya and her three cubs near Telia lake, Tadoba — Parag.naik, CC BY-SA 4.0
Track Tadoba’s tigers with a naturalist
Our naturalists know the current territories. Share your dates and we will pick the zones and gates with the best recent sightings.
Explore More
Wildlife Encyclopedia